Turning 30? Here's 10 financial decisions you must take

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Turning 30? Here's 10 financial decisions you must take

Highlights

• As they say, do not spend before you save, but do the vice versa
• Planning serious investments is something that you must do at this age, be it stocks, shares or mutual funds — make sure to invest a lot of money, but remember to do it wisely.

Own a home
Everyone dreams of buying a home, and the sooner the better. If you are still renting out, start planning to invest in a house. Understand your financial capacity and gauge if you can afford buying a house at this stage in your life. Rent is nothing but a liability, as the huge sum you pay every month actually settles in someone else’s account. If you cannot afford a house in your current location, invest in a property a little away. Remember every EMI brings you closer to owning the house.

Make arrangements for extra income High-paying jobs and busy schedules are a common story. However, other than a chosen few who have bagged government jobs, job stability and security is something that most of us are worried about. While we all count our blessings before appraisals, none of us can actually guarantee a peaceful retirement, unless you have a Plan B. An extra source of income is the need of the hour, for every salaried individual. Be it a small/medium enterprise or a big family business, make sure you plan a stable source of extra income at this age. I’ll support you and keep you financially strong.

Invest heavily, and wisely Most of us show PPF investments and rent receipts as a part of our annual investment declaration and get away with it, feeling relieved that we have saved a lot of tax. However, planning serious investments is something that you must do at this age, be it stocks, shares or mutual funds — make sure to invest a lot of money, but remember to do it wisely. Consult a financial advisor who could guide you as to which funds will ensure good returns as well as a tax rebate.

Lend responsibly We all like to help our friends and relatives, in fact when it comes to lending we are quite selfless as we usually avoid asking them to return the money. Small expenses upto Rs. 500-1,000 need not be accounted, as we always have a barter system in place, when it comes to paying for each other. However, if it is anything above that, ensure to make a note of the same; also, set a timeline within which the person should return the money. By doing this, you ensure that you do not end up in debts and are not taken for granted.

Save before you spend As they say, do not spend before you save, but do the vice versa. Make sure you always set aside a part of your income as savings on payday. The habit of spending first and then saving the leftovers is a bad idea since you always end up blowing a lot of money. Create a separate account where you can keep your savings; make sure that you do not have easy access to this account. For instance, do not opt for a debit card for this account. You can use these savings to do things you enjoy, like travel, buy jewellery, etc. so that you do not depend on your salary for these expenses.

Get rid of rigid debts Of course, we have debts, like credit card bills, luxury car instalments or personal loans you may have taken for a house renovation or a dream holiday. Make sure you repay and close all these debts at the earliest. Especially the ones that charge you heavy interest rates, since they make your finances look weak and also utilise a lot of your earnings. Try limiting your credit card usage to the bare minimum. In fact, stop using one as it simply adds to unnecessary debt and compound interests from time to time.

Set aside an emergency fund No, this money is not the regular savings you make every month. An emergency fund, as the name suggests, is kept aside for crisis situations. Emergencies can never be foreseen, be it a sudden illness or unemployment. Make sure you keep aside enough money so that you can handle any of these emergencies without being worried about the availability of funds. Also, even if you exhaust the last penny of your salary a couple of days before payday, do not touch the emergency fund, as every time you withdraw from that account, it fails to serve the purpose.

Plan your retirement

With our current lifestyle and the health issues it brings along, our retirement might knock in slightly earlier. Make sure you are ready to retire and settle down for a relaxed life at an early age, may be 48. Right from arranging for a stable income post retirement, to a lump sum amount that comes in every year, make sure you are financially independent for a stress-free retirement. Starting at this age is the right thing to do.

Buy a good insurance policy

There are several insurance advertisements that we keep watching, and they all glorify their respective products. These explain the role insurance plays in financially stabilising your life at various stages like — children’s education or marriage or simply maintaining a good lifestyle even after the sudden demise of an earning member, etc. While we all wish we don’t have to face such situations, life is highly unpredictable. Having a life insurance or a term plan will ensure that all these commitments are financially taken care of, while you still take time to heal yourself emotionally. It is better to start an insurance policy early as the premiums are lower and you get more time before you reap the benefits.

Invest your disposable funds in property

Even after investing in funds, taking care of your utilities and paying your monthly liabilities, if you are left with a considerable amount of money, make sure you invest it in property. Property, today, is the most profitable investment, as it is a growing market. You can always rent out an unused house and get some extra income out of it, which will only strengthen your finances.

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Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.